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📖 Expert Guide · Updated 2026
Body-Safe Sex Toys
What Materials Actually Mean
Silicone, ABS, TPE, glass, stainless steel, “jelly”: product pages are full of material names, and they don’t always say which ones matter. Mostly it comes down to one thing. Non-porous materials are easier to keep clean, so that’s what you want in anything that goes on or in your body. Below are the common materials in plain English, how to look after each, which lube goes with which, and how to read a listing before you buy. Ad: Ladyloving sells the products featured in this guide.
⚡ Quick Picks
Toy cleanerEveryday cleaning£5.99
Water-based lubeSafe with every toy material£14.99
GlassNon-porous, temperature play£24.99
MetalNon-porous, weighty feelfrom £9.99
In This Guide
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Porous vs Non-Porous: the One Idea That Matters
A non-porous material has a sealed surface, so bacteria have nowhere to hide. Sexual health services recommend silicone, stainless steel or glass for that reason: they’re easier to clean and less likely to harbour bacteria (Suffolk Sexual Health Service).
Porous materials have tiny gaps in the surface, and toys made from them, like jelly rubber, can keep hold of bacteria even after cleaning. If you have one, use it with a condom and keep it to yourself.
The Common Materials Explained
Silicone
Smooth, flexible, non-porous, and the most common material for vibrators, plugs and dildos. If in doubt, choose silicone. Pair it with water-based lube, because silicone lube can degrade it.
Glass
Firm, smooth and non-porous, and you can warm or cool it for temperature play. Buy glass made for intimate use, like the medical-grade Spectrum Nubby Textured Glass Dildo (£24.99), and look it over for chips each time.
Stainless steel and other metals
Heavy in the hand, smooth and non-porous. Our Toosh metal plugs start at £8.99, and metal is fine with any type of lube.
ABS plastic
A hard plastic, often used for vibrator bodies and buttons. Check the listing to see what the parts that touch your body are made of.
TPE, TPR, PVC and “jelly”
Softer and cheaper, and they vary a lot from one product to the next. If a listing just says “jelly”, or doesn’t name the material, assume it’s porous: use a condom on it and don’t share it.
Body-Safe Dildos
A body safe dildo follows the same rules as a vibrator. Look for silicone, glass or metal named clearly in the listing. The Spectrum Ribbed Glass Dildo (£29.99) is medical-grade glass with a flat flared base, so it’s suitable for vaginal or anal use. For body safe silicone dildos, browse our silicone and classic dildos and check that each listing names silicone. Not sure? Ask us before you order.
Real Products We Recommend
All in stock at the time of writing, with details taken from each product's listing, and sent with discreet delivery.
Water-based lubeSliquid Naturals H2O Waterbased Lubricant 125ml
Water-basedAll toy materials
£14.99View →
Loving Joy Cleanse Sex Toy Cleaner 100ml
A coconut-derived spray: spray it on, wipe, and leave to air-dry. Safe on silicone, rubber and latex. There's a 250ml size too.
Sliquid Naturals H2O Waterbased Lubricant 125ml
Free of glycerin and parabens, thickened with plant cellulose, and listed as suitable for every toy material and barrier method.
Spectrum Nubby Textured Glass Dildo
Hand-blown, medical-grade glass with a tapered tip and a flared base. It responds to warm or cold water for temperature play.
Toosh Silver Metal Butt Plug Small
A small metal plug with a flared, jewelled base. It's heavier than silicone and works with any lube.
How to Check a Listing Before You Buy
- The material should be named plainly, "silicone" or "stainless steel" for example, for the parts that touch your body.
- Waterproof or splashproof? That tells you how you'll clean it.
- For anything anal, there must be a flared base, so the toy can't get lost inside the body.
- No material listed? Ask us before you buy.
⚠️ Take care with: jelly rubber and other porous materials. Porous toys can retain bacteria even after cleaning, so it is best to use them with a condom and not to share them (Suffolk Sexual Health Service).
Which Lube With Which Material
Water-based and silicone advice is from Suffolk Sexual Health Service; oil-based lube and latex condoms from the NHS. Where a toy's instructions differ, follow the instructions.
| Toy material | Water-based lube | Silicone lube | Oil-based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone | Yes | No, can degrade silicone | Check the toy's instructions |
| Glass | Yes | Yes | Yes (not with latex condoms) |
| Metal | Yes | Yes | Yes (not with latex condoms) |
| ABS plastic | Yes | Check the toy's instructions | Check the toy's instructions |
| Using latex condoms | Yes | Yes | No |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Silicone lube on silicone toys. It can wear the surface down over time.
- Oil with latex condoms. Oil-based products can damage latex, so use water-based or silicone lube instead.
- Boiling or dishwashing without checking. Only do it if the manufacturer says the toy can take it.
- Storing porous toys against other toys. Keep them in their own pouch.
How to Clean Each Material
Let everything dry fully, then store toys apart so different materials aren’t touching.
- Every toy: warm water with a mild, unscented soap or a toy cleaner (Suffolk Sexual Health Service).
- Battery-powered or non-waterproof toys: don’t put them under water. Wipe them with a clean, soapy cloth (SH:24).
- The dishwasher: some toys can go in, but only if the maker says so.
- Shared or porous toys: use a condom, and change it between people or body parts (Brook).
Body-Safe Materials FAQs
What does "body-safe" mean for sex toys?
In practice, a non-porous material such as silicone, glass or stainless steel, which is easier to clean and less likely to harbour bacteria (Suffolk Sexual Health Service).
Is jelly rubber safe?
It's porous and can hold on to bacteria even after cleaning. If you use a jelly toy, cover it with a condom and don't share it.
Can I use silicone lube with a silicone toy?
Better not. Use water-based lube with silicone toys, as silicone lube can degrade them.
How do I clean a vibrator that isn't waterproof?
Don't submerge it. Wipe it with a clean, soapy cloth (SH:24).
Are glass sex toys safe?
Glass made for intimate use is non-porous and easy to clean. Check it for chips or cracks before every use, and stop using it if you find any.
Ad: Ladyloving sells the products featured in this guide.
Sources
Sources: Suffolk Sexual Health Service: exploring sex toys safely; Brook: sex toys and aids; SH:24: how to clean your sex toys; NHS: male condoms (lubricant); product details from Ladyloving product listings, checked 1 October 2026.
This guide is for general information and isn’t medical advice. If you have irritation, pain or any concerns, speak to your GP or a sexual health clinic.
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Body-Safe, Every Time
Choose non-porous materials and clean them well. Every order is sent in plain packaging, and our returns policy is there if you need it.
